The newborn foal peered at Caroline from her computer screen. The online photo grabbed her heart. It was followed by photo after photo of the foal frolicking, rubbing noses with his momma, and nursing in the quiet of evening. This was the foal she knew she had to buy. Caroline had worked hard and saved all her money to buy a wild Chincoteague Pony foal and now she had fallen in love with the right one. She'd even named him "Quintilius" for the star that shone over the baby Jesus in the manger long ago. After she arrived on Chincoteague Island, Caroline volunteered for The Feather Fund and helped tag foals with the saltwater cowboys. Now, after all her hard work, the saltwater cowboys had labeled her foal?her Quintilus?for return to the island. Caroline couldn't even consider of taking home another foal. Quintilius had won her heart. She'd poured herself into saving enough money and now it seemed the chestnut pinto colt would be forever out of her life. How could things be turned around for Caroline so that she could bring her foal home? Or would she lose her dream forever? AUTHOR: Lois Szymanski lives in Westminster, MD with her husband, Dan and their Sheltie, Ryley. She has researched Chincoteague Ponies for over 25 years and is the author of 27 books for children. Learn more at www.loisszymanski.com. 34 colour
